Please forward this newsletter to anyone who may be interested. July 5, 2016

Back by Popular Demand: Political Reporter Josh Kraushaar.

Josh Kraushaar

Josh Kraushaar, Political Editor at National Journal, where he also writes a popular bi-weekly column Against the Grain, takes a contrarian view to the typical Washington cliches and conventional wisdom.

Josh presented at last year's CASA conference, when few people thought Donald Trump would be where he is today. The pool of presidential candidates at the time proved an interesting and unpredictable study. Now that the nominations are clear, Josh will provide new insight into our political future. You won't want to miss this entertaining and enlightening speaker.

Check out our event page to view the preliminary program, get hotel information, and register for CASA's annual conference.

CASA Directors, Dues, to be Voted Upon at Business Meeting

At the business meeting during our annual conference in Monterey, CASA agency members will be asked to approve a slate of four nominees for the open seats on the CASA Board of Directors.

As our workforce ages, we must explore ways to engage young people in our sector early in their academic career.

Earlier this year, the Las Virgenes-Triunfo Joint Powers Authority, comprised of Las Virgenes Municipal Water District and Triunfo Sanitation District, did just that. Working with local high schools, they created a mentorship program. Read more...

Climate Change a Hot Topic at Rethink Methane Symposium

Attendees at the Rethink Methane Symposium

Dozens of energy developers, regulators and policy makers gathered in Sacramento on June 29 to discuss the future of bioenergy in California at the Rethink Methane symposium.

Beginning with the opening keynote by Assembly Member Mike Gatto, the uncertain future of the low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) and cap and trade program was a recurring theme. Assembly Member Gatto, chair of the assembly utilities and commerce committee, continues to be a strong supporter of renewable gas, but described the cap and trade program as "hanging on a thread" due to ongoing discussions within the legislature. He expressed the view that biogas is unlikely to be a priority for future cap and trade funding. The closing speaker, California Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols, cited the lack of a collective focus on solving air pollution and addressing climate change as the biggest barrier to the certainty and longevity of the LCFS and short lived climate pollutant strategy.

Ben Horenstein, Director of Wastewater at East Bay Municipal Utility District, highlighted the potential for wastewater agencies to tap into existing digester capacity to generate renewable energy. He cited CASA's recent survey concluding that wastewater agencies have the capacity to accept at least 75% of the food waste currently being landfilled to generate energy to meet 2% of the state's overall energy demand.

Mixed Bag

There's still time to register for the joint CASA/CWEA Biosolids and Renewable Energy Seminar. Held July 19 in Martinez and July 20 in Los Angeles, these one-day seminars are loaded with information. See our events page for details.

On June 21, 2016, the Board of Supervisors became the first County in Southern California to pass an Extended Producer Responsibility ("EPR") ordinance which will provide a new program for residents to safely dispose of their unused household medications at pharmacies in Santa Barbara County. Read more...

Dublin San Ramon Services District also invites the public to see how wastewater becomes recycled water at a tour of its treatment plant on Wed., July 13, at 1:00 p.m. The free tour lasts 60 to 90 minutes and is open to adults, teens, and children ages 10 and up. The facility is located at 7399 Johnson Drive in Pleasanton. Reservations are required: visit their website or call 925-875-2399.

Speaking of Dublin San Ramon Services District, their Board of Directors recently voted unanimously to lift mandatory limits on water use and end the local drought emergency that has been in effect since February 2014. Remaining cautious about future water supply conditions, the board declared a Stage 1 Water Shortage and adopted a 10 percent voluntary conservation goal.